Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, the resident Aalim of Toronto Jamaat, during his recent visit to Dar-Es-Salaam for Ashra e Zainabiyya program (10-20 Safar 1434), took a day off his busy schedule to visit the Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania head office and the Bilal Comprehensive School (BCS) complex at Temeke on 2nd January 2013.

It was a great opportunity for Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania to have had such a visit by a renowned Aalim and a Scholar.

Bilal Muslim Mission, Arusha once again had the privilege of holding ladies majlis on 12th January 2013 to commemorate the Death Anniversary (Wafat) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) and Imam Ali al-Ridha (AS) and the events that took place after the tragedy event of Kerbala.

Mwalima Safi Mgaya, a teacher at the Center, recited the majlis, emphasizing on true path of Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet (SAWW), the life of Imam Ali al-Ridha (AS), and what transpired after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) in Kerbala.

The majlis was attended by 86 ladies, 42 children, the program ended with the recitation of Dua e Hujjat.

On Sunday 13th January 2013, gents also commemorated the Wafaat Day by holding a majlis concentrating on the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), which was recited by Maalim Ramadhan Khamis, also a teacher at the Center. This majlis was attended by 36 adults and 4 children.

May Allah (SWT) accept our efforts and shower His blessing on the participants and all those who supported in the above program, Ameen.

Muharram, the beginning of the Islamic New Year brings along an atmosphere of mourning and commemoration throughout the Shiite world. Unlike in other community's traditions, Shias commemorate the Islamic New Year in a unique manner, understood and comprehended by those who are aware of the tragedy that had befallen on the grandson and the family of the Holy Prophet of Islam in the plains of Kerbala, Iraq in 61 AH. A famous quote by English Historian, Edward Gibbon:

"In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Hussain will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader." (English historian and member of parliament), [The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]

The School Year Calendar was planned purposely in that the first 12 days of Muharram are utilized for reflecting and understanding the mission of Imam Husayn (AS), the time was well spent in various activities programmed for each age level.

Black flags were put up all around the campus to mark the commemoration days. There were also the azadari of Seyyedush Shohadah Imam Husayn (AS) with majlises (lectures), hadeeth al Kisaa and Marthiya/Nawha in the local language.

Each day began with assembly where some eulogy was recited for Imam Husayn (AS) along with the daily dua by Imam Sajjad Ali ibn Husayn (AS).

Majlises of Imam Hussain (as) at the Arusha Branch were held from 5th Muharram to 12th Muharram 1434 AH, and for the first time, graduates of the center have recited majlis to highlight the sacrifices given by our Ahlulbayt (as), and they martyrs of Kerbala.

On Sunday, 2nd December 2012, a procession to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (AS) was organized by Bilal Muslim Mission, The day time procession from Bilal Comprehensive School complex in Temeke saw a large participation. Students from the Bilal schools (Nursery, Primary and Hawza) participants from different sectors from both genders from the Khoja and other communities walked in a somber procession to mark the great martyrdom of the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww).

The program began with the recitation of some verses from the Holy Qur'an followed by an allegiance salute by Hawzatul Bilal Students.

Marthiyas and nawhas in the local language were recited and messages extolling the virtues of the Holy Imam were delivered by different scholars and students.